I'm new here, so I apologize in advance if I've gotten off to a bad start by posting in the wrong forum!

My question is fairly simple. I'm basically looking for my new WRT54GL, if such a router exists. Basically just love how quickly I can set up one of those routers with the original Tomato firmware and be off and running. I also love the reliability I get from the routers I've installed.

So far, though, I've had a rough go of it with Tomato USB. I've tried it on a few router models, and I feel like I can't get a solid footing with it. So far I've tried the Asus RT-N16 and RT-N10 (though it may have been a 10+, which could have been where I went wrong). I know I've tried a couple others but I can't remember the models.

For the RT-N16 the only thing I was able to do was to install a lite version of dd-wrt, then use that to install Tomato USB. Still, I'm not very confident in how it went.

So is there a really great router that people recommend above all others, like has been the case with the WRT54GL? I still like that model, but ideally something with 802.11n and gigabit ethernet would replace it as my router of choice. Until then I continue to order WRT54GL's like candy for my clients.

IMHO, I you're looking to make a lateral move the Asus WL-520gU is what you want. This is what I replaced my WRT54GS with and currently use. The WL-520gU has been every bit as good as the WRT54GS if not better.

If you want something with more horsepower, the Asus RT-N16 is a solid choice.

Good question, I've been looking for the same mythical beast for years.

My WRT54GLs were great. Easy to flash, and pretty solid after upgrading to a real firmware. The N-era of routers has been a real joke. Reliability has gone out the window, and overheating is the rule of the day. Best advice I can give is stay away from Asus overheating junk routers. Have 2 RT-N12s and an RT-N16 and all have overheating problems. Have 2 refurb Cisco e2000 that get too hot (need taller feet.) Just finally got a Netgear WNDR3700, which sadly won't take Tomato but will see how it goes. Good luck.

the overheating is a myth and it won't go away. consider gigabit chips as your kettle. what you consider "overheated" is the normal running temperature of gigabit chips, just like your "overheated" kettle when it is boiling.

I know that mine are unreliable. Have to cycle power to restore operation on the RT-N12s RT-N16 and one of the E2000s. What I've read indicated overheating as well as anecdotal evidence that increasing airflow and cooling(using table fans) has helped mitigate the problem somewhat, but not cured it. I wouldn't care how hot the chips run if it didn't affect operation of the unit.

mentioning "overheating" is misleading to others and will keep propagating the nonsensical heat myth. Every gigabit router, from WRT310N to the E3000 becomes too hot to touch during normal operations because of the gigabit chip. I've operated them inside cabinets and shelves with closed doors, zero airflow and had no issues even during the hottest summer.

Dignan17, I would recommend you consider the Linksys E3000, the ASUS RT-N16, the Netgear 3500L. And maybe also the E4200, now that it has supported 5GHz wireless (if you need 5GHz). I wouldn't personally go with an RT-N10 or 12. My own choice is still the RT-N16. All my old WRT54GL's are now doing service as AP's. They're very good routers, nothing wrong with them, but a bit dated and not fast enough to keep up with today's more demanding needs.

I am sorry that you can't get a "solid footing" with TomatoUSB firmware. It isn't necessary to use DD-WRT to flash the RT-N16, the easiest way to flash the first time is with the ASUS firmware recovery tool (from the enclosed CD). After that use the Tomato interface. The ASUS routers in particular are very hard to brick, and the recovery tool easily recovers routers that have bad nvram or failed flashes. They do NOT overheat and do NOT have any inbuilt hardware problems.

Tomato Firmware is very stable, especially when compared to the OEM firmware in most routers. I'd encourage you to stick with it. If you're used to using Tomato on a GL, it's much the same on any other router, except for the additional details for wireless N.

In the early days when the firmware was in its infancy every time something didn't work well the usual prophets of doom came out to accuse it of overheating. As in most other myths, this pretty much originated from the same bunch of people on the DD-WRT forum. Shortly after this the "overclocking" enthusiasts appeared with the usual Fans, Refrigeration Units, Watercooling, and Liquid Nitrogen.

Of course, despite the claims, it didn't make any difference. But it gave people something to do, hacking great holes in the case and wiring up thermostats and so on for the fans. Beats TV any day. [An exercise I thoroughly recommend is to fit a couple of DELTA PFB0812UHE fans to the router. That way, it will hover about 3" above the desk and be much easier to move around].

Shortly after that, a new myth that the Power Unit was not big enough appeared, supposedly our little plastic router needed more power than the local Electricity Grid could provide. Then a flurry of posts in which people used 7 Ampere-Hour Lead-Acid Batteries, 3-5 Amp Power "Bricks", Stabilized Laboratory variable power supplies, Windmills, and Nuclear Powered Generators.

That didn't make any difference either, but of course those who did the mods claimed incredible increases in speeds, bright colors on their downloaded movies, and 10kM wireless range.

And then, oddly enough, just as with every other router that has hit the market, the overheating problem "went away" when the bugs in the firmware were dealt with.

And still, every time a new router appears, we go through exactly the same thing. Latest is the E series <g>

During the summer my RT-N16 was running while the room temperatur was around 40°C, without any form of modding or external cooling, and there were no problems. It didn't even reboot once. So I can confirm what Toastman says: The RT-N16 does not overheat.